Posted on 02/22/2008 5:57:24 AM PST by jhpigott
Russia's ambassador to Nato, Dmitry Rogozin, has warned that Russia could use military force if the Kosovo independence dispute escalates. "If the EU develops a unified position or if Nato exceeds its mandate set by the UN, then these organisations will be in conflict with the UN," he said.
In that case Russia would "proceed on the basis that in order to be respected we need to use brute force", he said.
Many EU members have recognised Kosovo, but several oppose recognition.
Russia, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, backs Serbia, which has condemned the independence declaration issued by the Kosovo parliament on 17 February.
On Tuesday members of the Serb minority in Kosovo attacked two border posts staffed by UN personnel and Kosovo police.
The violence led the Nato troops in Kosovo - known as K-For - to reinforce the border with Serbia.
Kosovo's majority ethnic Albanians are following a plan drawn up by UN special envoy Martti Ahtisaari for "supervised independence", which was rejected by Serbia.
The EU will soon deploy 2,000 officials to strengthen law and order in Kosovo, which has a population of about two million. Russia argues that the mission has no legal basis.
ping
Russians shooting at Blue Helmets?
Get our guys out of there.
Great. Troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, and spread around the world in the Phillippines and like countries and Putin may just put troops into Serbia. What then?
Putin’s last gasp?
I can't see it happening.
Why are we backing the people there, who sided with Hitler in WWII?...
Can’t blame Russia all that much. They don’t want a muslim state set up in their backyard. Nobody is talking about it but that’s where it stands.
Why do we want another muslim country? Is this more of Bush-the-wuss’ compassionate conservastism?
Russia knows if they mess with with the US they risk total annihilation.
If anything, they’re rational gamblers. They’re not about to throw it all away over some lousy Balkan family feud.
Neither should we. Good luck to the EU.
How do these Euronuts recognize the State of Kosovo as a lawful sovereign entity and then deploy 2000 officials along with 15,000 troops within that nation's sovereign territory???
Simple.
Bring all the troops home to stop the rioting over the bad economy, housing crisis, and the high cost of parking at the casinos in Vegas.
neither can I, he really has no way to get them there other than maybe an airlifted contingent. I don’t think the Ukranine is going to give em’ a free pass. Overland routes are not exactly in abundance.
However, I would not put it past Putin to rachet up the tension in Georgia
They are bluffing and saber-rattling.
The Serbs have placed their hopes in a megaphone, not an ally.
The Russians lost 8,000 soldiers in 20 months in Chechnya fighting a population half the size and far less than half as well-equipped as Kosovo, with no support from NATO.
Blame Bush First!
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